Multiple Function Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

A multiple function applicator assembly (MFAA) that has two design configurations. Both design configuration comprise a first cap, a second cap, and an extracting rod. The extracting rod has an upper end, and a lower end that terminates with a pointed tip in the first design, or a shovel head tip in the second design. The extracting rod extends upward through the second cap into an interior channel within the first cap. The second cap is inserted into the substantial midpoint of the first cap. The retaining ring maintains the extracting rod centered and a spring surrounds the interior channel and interfaces with the ring maintaining the first cap secured to the second cap. As the first cap is pushed downward and turned, pressure is applied from the spring onto the retaining ring, allowing and causing the extracting rod to move up and down and to rotate, which allows the pointed tip or shovel tip to extend to the bottom of a container and to remove the entire contents held within the container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains to product applicators, and more particularly to a multiple function applicator assembly that allows a person to quickly and easily remove/extract almost all of a product within a container such as a bottle.

BACKGROUND ART

Throughout the world, consumers, both men and women, purchase and use products that are packaged in containers, particularly bottles. Depending on the product within, containers can be a wide variety of shapes and sizes. In order to remove or extract a product that is within a container, many containers come with a rod or other elongated member that extends into the container and when the rod is removed, the product is on the rod. Since the product is utilized from the rod, the term applicator is often used to denote the rod. Again, depending on the product, an applicator may have a shovel-shaped tip, a brush tip or other purpose designed tip. To facilitate ease of use, an applicator is often attached to, and extends downward from a cap on a container. In this manner when a cap, or lid, is removed from a container the applicator also comes out, with the product on the tip, ready for application or other use. If a person requires repeated applications/use of a product, the person simply re-inserts the applicator into the container and pulls the applicator (and cap) out, with product present on the applicator tip.

As previously disclosed, containers with separate or included applicators are used for many types of products. Two of the most prevalent types of product are beauty products and food products. Examples of beauty products are lip gloss, concealer, mascara and nail polish. Examples of food products are condiments, syrups, baby food and other fluid or semi-fluid products. It should be noted that the above lists are merely examples and many other products also use applicators.

While the design of an applicator, especially the applicators attached to a cap, are convenient and widely used, there are problems that come with the use of an applicator. Perhaps the most significant problem is that almost every applicator, regardless how well-designed has difficulty removing all the product within a container. This is particularly problematic when there is only a small amount of product left within a container. With conventional applicators it is often simply not possible to completely remove/extract all of the product. Trying to remove the last bit of product from a container using an applicator can be time-consuming and frustrating. Typically, a person will just give up and throw away any remaining product that is too difficult to remove/extract. This is obviously very wasteful, both product wise and financially.

What is needed is a new/improved design of an applicator that is utilized similar to, and applicable to, current applicators, but is capable of both ease of use and has the ability to remove/extract almost all of a products within a container. Optimally, the improved applicator could be used in the same manner, for the same purpose(s) as existing/conventional applicators, and could be a replacement for existing applicators. By providing an applicator such as this, a person would be able to use product they are familiar with, in a basically same manner, but now being able to access, remove and use all of product that is within a container, and that was paid for.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:

Pat. No. INVENTOR ISSUED 8,098,415 Pires, etal Jan. 3, 2012 8,944,713 Kogushi Feb. 3, 2015 9,301,592 Hofmann Apr. 5, 2016

The U.S. Pat. No. 8,098,415 patent discloses an applicator assembly comprising an adjustable applicator capable of being adjusted to retain variable quantities of a product. Also disclosed is a container comprising an applicator assembly for storing and application of consumer products such as cosmetic, hair care or dental products. The applicator assembly has at least two applicator heads that are movable thereby resulting in change in density of the applicator assembly bristles.

The U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,713 patent discloses a cosmetic applicator that includes a shaft body, a make-up comb having comb-teeth on an outer peripheral surface of a front end of the shaft body, a make-up applicator within the shaft body, a grip provided on the shaft body, and an operating on the grip portion and connected to the make-up applicator. A cosmetic container is provided with a main body for cosmetic material. The make-up applicator is projected from and housed within the shaft body, thereby make-up can be applied and risk of adhesion of the cosmetic material is prevented.

The U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,592 patent discloses a multi-purpose makeup applicator that includes a handle, a hollow elongated shaft extending outward from the handle, a first applicator within the shaft and a second applicator on the shaft. The first applicator comprises an elongated member, affixed to the handle at one end, and an applicator tool affixed to an opposite end. The elongated member of the first applicator is a retractable eyeliner tool and the second applicator is coupled to the distal end of the shaft and comprise bristles forming a brush. A mechanism may be located in the handle for retracting and/or extending the first applicator and the second applicator can retract/extend into/out of the elongated shaft or remain in an extended position.

For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search.

Pat. No. INVENTOR ISSUED 3,613,697 Andrews Oct. 19, 1971 2,442,503 Melnikoff Jun. 1, 1948 5,121,763 Kingsford Jun. 16, 1992 5,205,301 Nakamura Apr. 27, 1993 5,881,743 Nadel Mar. 16, 1999 8,726,913 Weigel May 20, 2014 2020/0305578 Lugo, et al Oct. 1, 2020 2011/0297173 Anderson, et al Dec. 8, 2011

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A multiple function applicator assembly (MFAA) that has two design configurations. The first design configuration comprises a first cap, a second cap, and an extracting rod. The first cap includes an upper end having an inner surface, and outer surface, and a perimeter edge. A lower end has an inter surface, an outer surface, a perimeter edge, and an opening extending through the lower end to the upper end, and an interior channel. A side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. A spring is within the first cap and has an upper end and a lower end.

A second cap includes an upper end having a perimeter edge and an opening. A lower end also has a perimeter edge and an opening a side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a retaining ring having an upper surface, a lower surface and an opening.

An extracting rod has an turn upper end, and a lower end that terminates with a pointed tip. The extracting rod extends upward through the second cap into the interior channel within the first cap. The second cap is inserted into the substantial midpoint of the first cap and is frictionally held therein. The retaining ring maintains the extracting rod in a substantially centered position within the first cap and second cap. The spring surrounds the interior channel and interfaces with the upper surface of the retaining ring, which maintains the first cap secured to the second cap.

As the first cap is pushed downward and turned, pressure is applied from the spring onto the retaining ring, allowing and causing the extracting rod to move up and down and to rotate, which produces an action that allows the lower end and pointed tip or shovel tip of the extracting rod to extend to the bottom of a container and to remove the entire contents of a product held within the container. Once the extracting rod is removed from the container, the product on the tip can then be applied onto an item or surface.

The MFAA can be made of various material, with plastic, and injection molded or 3-D painted plastic preferred. The only difference between the first design configuration and the second design configuration is that the first utilizes a pointed tip at the end of the extracting rod, 5 and the second has a flat, square shovel head tip. Typically, the pointed tip is more effective for use with a beauty product, such as lip gloss or makeup, and the shovel head tip is better suited for use with food products such as condiments. It should be noted that either tip design (or other tip designs) can be used with complete efficacy

For a myriad of different purposes, with whichever tip design is utilized determined by the requirements of the application and/or the preference of the user depending on the type of container the MFAA is used with, the second cap's side wall inner surface can include threads that correspond to threads on the container, thereby allowing the MFAA and the container to function as a single, unified product.

In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a multi-function applicator assembly that can be used with many different products, and allows the entire contents of a product within a container to be quickly and easily removed, and applied onto an item or surface.

In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the invention to provide a multi-function applicator assembly that:

-   -   can be made in various sizes,     -   can be cleaned and re-used multiple times,     -   can be sold along with a container containing a product, or can         be sold as an applicator assembly only for use with an existing         container,     -   is easy to understand and use—does not require complex         instructions,     -   can be made in various colors and/or include indicia,     -   can increase the value of a product since all of the product         within a container is accessible and useable,     -   is durable and long-lasting, and     -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's         point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthographic view showing a multiple function applicator assembly (MFAA).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing each element of the MFAA.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view showing the MFAA on a container.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic detail view showing the MFAA's first cap.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic detail view showing the MFAA's second cap.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic detail view showing the MFAA's extracting rod with a pointed tip.

FIG. 7 is an orthographic detail view showing the MFAA with a substantially flat, square shovel head tip at the end of the extracting rod.

FIG. 8 is an orthographic detail view showing the MFAA with a brush tip at the end of the extracting rod.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment with two design configurations of a multiple function applicator assembly 10 (MFAA 10) also know as the Glisten Wand. Many products are packaged in a container such as a bottle or can. Examples of these products include beauty/healthy products and food/edible products. Some containers have an opening through which the product within the container can be pulled or poured out. Other containers utilize a tool such as a rod that is inserted into a container and then when the rod is removed, a portion of the product is on the rod and can be applied onto a body part, another item or a surface. While both the opening in the container and the rod do perform the desired task of providing access to a product within a container, there are associated problems. One of the most significant problems is that when a container is full of a product it is not difficult to access and remove some of the product, but when the product becomes depleted within the container it is often a major challenge to remove the product. Many people become frustrated when trying to remove a last bit of product from a container and will typically just give up and throw the container with the small amount of product away. This is of course wasteful and for certain products can be expensive, especially after doing this for an extended time period.

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem: the MFAA 10 uses a unique design that allows a person to quickly and easily remove essentially all of a product within a container. The MFAA 10 is particularly useful for beauty/health products such as lip gloss, foundation, concealer, pods foundation, mascara, lacquer, nail polish, moisturizer, as well as toothpaste, sunblock, lotions and serums. The MFAA 10 is also effective for use with food products such as condiments including mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup and salsa, and sauces including marinara, bar-b-que, and gravy. Other food items are jelly, peanut butter, custard, sour cream, butter, syrup, baby food, cream cheese and even olives and canned/bottled vegetables. The above listed beauty/health products and food products are just examples of some uses for the MFAA 10. The actual number of potential uses is much higher than those listed above.

The first design configuration of the MFAA 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-8 , is comprised of the following major elements: a first cap 12, a second cap 50 and an extracting rod 86. The first cap 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 , comprises an upper end 14, with an inner surface 16, an outer surface 18, and a perimeter edge 20. A lower end 22 has an inner surface 24, an outer surface 26, a perimeter edge 28 and an opening 30 extending through the lower end 22 to the upper end 14, and an interior channel 32. A side wall 34 includes an inner surface 36 and an outer surface 38. Also within the first cap 12 is a spring 40 with an upper end and a lower end 44.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , interfacing with the first cap 12 is the second cap 50 which comprises an upper end 52 having a perimeter edge 54 and an opening 56. A lower end 60 also has a perimeter edge 62 and an opening 64. A side wall 66 includes an inner surface 68 and an outer surface 70. Within the second cap 50 is also a retaining ring 74 with an upper surface 76, a lower surface 78 and an opening 80. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the second cap 50 is dimensioned to fit within the first cap 12 via the opening 30 on the first cap's lower end 22. The design of the MFAA 10 allows the first cap 12 to slide downward over the second cap 50 when pressure is applied onto the first cap's upper end 14.

The extracting rod 86, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 6 and 7 , has an upper end 88 and a lower end 90 that terminates with a pointed tip 92. The extracting rod upper end 88 extends upward through the second cap 50 into the interior channel 32 within the first cap 12, The second cap 50 is inserted to the substantial midpoint of the first cap 12 and frictionally held therein. The retaining ring 74 maintains the extracting rod 86 in a substantially centered position within the first cap 12 and second cap 50. The spring 40 surrounds the interior channel 32 and interfaces with the upper surface 76 of the retaining ring 74 which maintains the first cap 12 secured to the second cap 50. As the first cap 12 is pushed downward and turned, pressure is applied from the spring 40 onto the retaining ring 74, allowing and causing the extracting rod 86 to move up and down and to rotate. This produces an action that allows the lower end 90 and pointed tip 92 of the extracting rod 86 to extend to the bottom of a container 110 and to remove the entire contents of a product held within the container 110 which can then be applied onto an item or surface.

The second design configuration of the MFAA 10 is essentially the same as the first design configuration, with the difference being that instead of the pointed tip at the lower end of the extracting rod, the second configuration utilizes a substantially flat, square shovel head 108 design, as shown in FIG. 7 , which is particularly effective for food products such as condiments. Other than this, the functionality and structure of the two designs are the same. The reason there are two “tip” designs disclosed is that the pointed tip is often more effective for use with certain beauty/health products, and the shovel head is effective for many food products. It should be noted that the two “tip” designs disclosed in this application are not the only viable designs that could be utilized. The MFAA 10 can function with equal efficacy, and depending on the particular use, an alternate tip design could even be more effective. So it is important to state that the inventive concept of the MFAA 10 is in no way limited by the two tip designs disclosed herein.

Both design configurations of the MFAA 10 can be made of various materials, including metal, plastic, wood or a composite, with plastic and specifically injection-molded or 3-D printed plastic preferred. To add to the functionality of the MFAA 10, the first cap's side wall 34 can have an inward curve 98, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 , and/or a textured surface 100, as shown in FIG. 4 . Both the inward curve 98 and textured surface 100 allow a person to acquire and maintain a secure grip on the MFAA 10 when in use.

As previously disclosed, the tip at the end of the extracting rod 86 can be other than a pointed tip or a shovel head. One tip design that could be significantly useful would be a brush 102, s shown in FIG. 8 , certain containers 110 have a cap that is screwed on by threads. The MFAA 10 can also include threads 104 that correspond to threads on a selected container 110. This would allow the MFAA 10 to be a simple replacement for an existing cap. Or to be used as a replacement for other, not-as-effective conventional applicators. Finally, the MFAA 10 can also include indicia 106, as shown in FIG. 5 . The indicia 106 is typically placed on the first cap's side wall outer surface 38 and/or the second cap's side wall outer surface 70. The indicia can be instructions for use, product identification or information or just an appealing design or image to compliment a product within a container.

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims. 

1. A multiple function applicator assembly (MFAA) comprising: a first cap comprised of: an upper end with an inner surface, an outer surface, and a perimeter edge, a lower end having an inner surface, an outer surface, a perimeter edge, an opening extending through the lower end to the upper end, and an interior channel, a side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, a spring with an upper end and a lower end, a second cap comprised of: an upper end having a perimeter edge and an opening, a lower end having a perimeter edge and an opening, a side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, a retaining ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening, an extracting rod having an upper end and a lower end that terminates with a pointed tip, the extracting rod upper end extending upward through the second cap into the interior channel within the first cap, the second cap inserted to the substantial midpoint of the first cap and frictionally held therein, the retaining ring maintaining the extracting rod in a substantially centered position within the first cap and second cap, with the spring surrounding the interior channel and interfacing with the upper surface of the retaining ring which maintains the first cap secured to the second cap, as the first cap is pushed downward and turned, pressure is applied from the spring onto the retaining ring, allowing and causing the extracting rod to move up and down and to rotate, which action allows the lower end and pointed tip of the extracting rod to extend to the bottom of a container and to remove the entire contents of a product held within the container with the contents then applied onto an item or surface.
 2. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood and a composite material.
 3. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cap's side wall further comprises an inward curve.
 4. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cap's side wall outer surface further comprises a textured surface.
 5. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product within a container is a beauty product selected from the group consisting of lip gloss, eye liner, nail polish and foundation.
 6. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product within a container is a food product that is selected from the group consisting of condiments, sauces, jelly, baby food and canned or bottled vegetables.
 7. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the extracting rod's lower end further comprises a brush.
 8. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the second cap's side wall inner surface further comprises threads that interface with threads on a container.
 9. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cap's side wall outer surface further comprises indicia that is selected from the group consisting of instructions for use, product identification and advertising.
 10. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a replaceable extracting rod.
 11. A multiple function applicator assembly (MFAA) comprising: a first cap comprised of: an upper end with an inner surface, an outer surface, and a perimeter edge, a lower end having an inner surface, an outer surface, a perimeter edge, an opening extending through the lower end to the upper end, and an interior channel, a side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, a spring with an upper end and a lower end, a second cap comprised of: an upper end having a perimeter edge and an opening, a lower end having a perimeter edge and an opening, a side wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, a retaining ring having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening, an extracting rod having an upper end and a lower end that terminates with a substantially flat, square shovel head, the extracting rod upper end extending upward through the second cap into the interior channel within the first cap, the second cap inserted to the substantial midpoint of the first cap and frictionally held therein, the retaining ring maintaining the extracting rod in a substantially centered position within the first cap and second cap, with the spring surrounding the interior channel and interfacing with the upper surface of the retaining ring which maintains the first cap secured to the second cap, as the first cap is pushed downward and turned, pressure is applied from the spring onto the retaining ring, allowing and causing the extracting rod to move up and down and to rotate, which allows the lower end and shovel head of the extracting rod to extend to the bottom of a container and to remove the entire contents of a product held within the container with the contents then applied onto an item or surface.
 12. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the assembly is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood and a composite material.
 13. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the first cap's side wall further comprises an inward curve.
 14. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the first cap's side wall outer surface further comprises a textured surface.
 15. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the product within a container is a beauty product selected from the group consisting of lip gloss, eye liner, nail polish and foundation.
 16. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product within a container is a food product that is selected from the group consisting of condiments, sauces, jelly, baby food and canned or bottled vegetables.
 17. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the extracting rod's lower end further comprises a brush.
 18. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the second cap's side wall inner surface further comprises threads that interface with threads on a container.
 19. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the first cap's side wall outer surface further comprises indicia that is selected from the group consisting of instructions for use, product identification and advertising.
 20. The multiple function applicator assembly of claim 11, further comprising a replaceable extracting rod. 